Halloween is right around the corner and debts from months and years past have returned to haunt.  Often, when someone is served with a lawsuit over a debt, they know exactly why they are being sued.  They remember putting more on their credit card than they could afford to pay back while they were searching for employment, or they remember how after they were in an accident, they couldn't afford to pay on a car they weren't able to drive, and it was repossessed.  Just because you know you owe a debt, doesn't mean you wouldn't benefit from hiring an attorney.

What many people don't realize is that while they may recall owing $10,000, the number they will ultimately owe after being sued can be much greater.  The $10,000 loan an individual took out doesn't include any potential interest that has accrued on the debt, nor does it include court costs or attorney's fees.  That $10,000 may be more like $15,000.  While you may be willing to agree to the original $10,000, many people feel like contesting the additional dollars.  Hiring an attorney to negotiate the debt could result in a waiver of these additional costs, or a reduction of the original $10,000 owed.  Many clients find that the reduction of the amount owed overall is the most beneficial aspect of hiring an attorney.  While you may not dispute that you owe $10,000, you may not be able to pay now what you couldn't afford then.  Or, if you're busy working to get back on your feet, a reduction in the amount due could make all the difference.  In some cases, you may not have to pay the debt collector a dime.  In other cases, the amount owed could be greatly reduced. 

In addition to reducing the amount owed, an attorney can help negotiate a payment schedule that doesn't break the bank.  If you know you have a settlement coming, or a bonus in a few months, the initial payment date can be negotiated out to fit that date.  Graduated payment schedules can also be arranged to help make payments easier to maintain. 

If you're on the fence, call Holland Law for a free consultation to hear what we can do for you.  We understand each client and each case is unique, and we can help you navigate what can be a confusing and intimidating process.  Just because you aren't looking to contest the debt, doesn't mean you won't benefit from having an experienced attorney in your corner.